06/23/2026
I’m fortunate to say that every ceremony I’ve coordinated has started on time. It’s not because I’m lucky… it’s because of the preparation I put into all of my weddings prior to the wedding day.
If you want your ceremony to start on time, make sure someone is responsible for encouraging guests to take their seats 10–15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Guests often gather everywhere except the ceremony area while they wait!
I also establish a clear lineup time for family and the wedding party. My standard practice is to have everyone lined up and ready for processional cues 5 minutes before the ceremony start time.
Communication with your DJ or musician is equally important. I always establish a simple signal, usually a thumbs-up, so they know exactly when we’re ready to begin.
Another strategy I sometimes use is an intentional “late start.” This works especially well for venues with limited parking or a long walk to the ceremony site. If the invitation says 4:00 PM, many guests will arrive anywhere from 20 minutes before the ceremony to right at the start time. By building a slight delay into the internal timeline, you can ensure guests have time to park, find their seats, and be fully present before the ceremony begins.
Vendor Team
Photographer: Emily Claire | Montana Photographer
Coordinator: Ivory Crane Events | Wedding Coordination
Hair: Billings MT Nails 🤍 Aspen Madrid
DJ: Branden Vowsandvibes Martinez
